In the Reading section, which subskills are assessed under Literary Texts?

• A. Understanding plot, setting, and theme only.
• B. Understanding character, setting, and theme.
• C. Understanding character, plot, setting, theme, point of view, figurative language, and literary elements.
• D. Understanding tone and author's purpose.

Answer: (C)

Understanding how a story is built and conveyed is at the heart of analyzing Literary Texts. You examine who the characters are and how they change, what happens in the plot, where and when the action takes place (setting), and what message or theme the author is communicating. The way the story is told matters too—point of view shapes what information you receive and from whose perspective. Figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, helps express ideas beyond the literal words, while literary elements and devices—symbolism, tone, irony, imagery, etc.—show how the author crafts meaning and effect. When you combine all these pieces, you have a complete toolkit for interpreting fiction and poetry in the Reading section.

The other options miss important parts: focusing only on plot, setting, and theme leaves out character, point of view, and figurative language; focusing on character, setting, and theme omits plot pacing, perspective, and language techniques; and emphasizing tone and author's purpose centers on how the text feels or why it was written rather than the full range of structural and stylistic elements.